All posts for the month May, 2012

I hope you’ve had a chance to view and share our new video, WE MATTER.

We are nearing 7 months since the abduction of Eslam and Zainab, and are nearly 5 months in Tunisian court without a first ruling. Although the Tunisian authorities have delegated their response to their courts, we remain adamant that Eslam and Zainab’s return is a matter for political and diplomatic remedy. The custody and legal authority regarding these babies were made in the United States in January 2011, by mutual consent of both their father and me. The law has already spoken.

The U.S. FBI has issued a warrant and extradition request for the arrest of the children’s father for the criminal act of kidnapping. The children have been listed on yellow alert through Interpol as missing. Courts in the State of Maryland and Virginia have issued orders for the immediate return of Eslam and Zainab Chebbi, using any force necessary. All of these items are relevant and actionable in our case.

Together we have made an impact. Let’s continue the fight to bring Eslam and Zainab home. Join me in demanding that both the U.S. and Tunisian authorities utilize every means of political and diplomatic authority to see the return of Eslam and Zainab to the U.S. where they belong.

As always, please act, and then share this message with everyone you know!

Thank you,

Edeanna

P.S. If you’d like to support us financially, please hit the “Donate” link on the right. All contributions help to cover the cost of living, legal costs, and other expenses incurred in the fight to bring Eslam and Zainab home.

I am writing on behalf of Eslam and Zainab Chebbi. It is now 7 months since their abduction to Tunisia without resolution. There are enforceable warrants and orders for the return of Eslam and Zainab Chebbi that have been submitted to your office for enforcement.

I am asking that you act immediately and definitively to ensure that the judicial magistrate rule on these warrants and enforce them for the return of these children to their home in the U.S.

My tax dollars are presently supporting your government’s efforts at democratization. There is no democracy without human rights. Please respect the rights of these American children, and use all of your authority to ensure their immediate return to the U.S.

Secretary Clinton,
I am writing on behalf of Eslam and Zainab Chebbi (OCS 2011 319 2852). It is now 7 months since their abduction to Tunisia without resolution. There are enforceable warrants and orders for the return of Eslam and Zainab Chebbi that have been issued to the Tunisian government.

Given the vast amount of U.S. tax dollars contributed to the Republic of Tunisia, I am asking that you use all the powers of diplomacy in your capacity, to ensure that the Tunisian government respond to and enforce any Federal or State issued court order pertaining to the return of these U.S citizens.

This video features the case of Eslam and Zainab Chebbi, and highlights the disjointed rhetoric of politics and diplomacy where the lives of innocent American children are at stake. Further details can be found at www.returnushome.com or www.facebook.com/returnushome.

Hi all,
I know it’s been a while since I’ve written. I have been holding off in hopes that I could provide some specific news. However, I am still limited to reporting general information, and again seeking your assistance.

We continue to fight legally to obtain a judgement to recognize the U.S. judgments as Tunisian law, so that I may return home with the babies. Because legal avenues continue to prove lengthy, I am revamping efforts to solicit congressional support. This is a brief request for help (below), but will be followed by more in the coming days.

We continue to seek your thoughts and prayers. Additionally, I’m asking that you assist our efforts by acting on and forwarding this message to all of your contacts on our behalf.

My sincere thanks for your support and love through this entire process. Tomorrow marks 6 months since my babies were taken from the life we miss and desire to return to. Let’s make sure it’s a date commemorated with action and advocacy on their behalf!

I am writing on behalf of Édeanna M. Chebbi, the left-behind parent of two U.S. citizens, Eslam (5) and Zainab (3) Chebbi, who were abducted to the Republic of Tunisia in November 2011.

As you are well aware, Édeanna has been fighting a legal and diplomatic battle for the return of Eslam and Zainab to the U.S. since their abduction six months ago. It is my intention to express my deep concern for the human rights of these two children and seek your assistance for their return. The case of these two children has already been resolved in the competent courts of authority in the United States, the country of their habitual residence prior to this abduction. Their immediate return to the their home is simply a matter of active diplomacy and respect of the human rights afforded in a system of democracy.

The number of abducted children from the U.S. to Tunisia has seen a rapid increase within the past 6 months. Returning Eslam and Zainab will make it clear to both the U.S. as any ally, and to the perpetrators of this heinous crime, that Tunisia stands for the rights of the child in such cases.

I am sure you are aware of the substantial monetary contribution that the U.S. is prepared to make to Tunisia in the coming months via proposed congressional bills (S. 618: Egyptian-American Enterprise Fund Act) and the reported commitment of support from Secretary Hillary Clinton ($1 million of aid through the IMF). I hope that you are also familiar with the proposed legislation, HR 1940.

HR 1940 is an important piece of legislation to left-behind parents, and amongst its many provisions is the right of the President to withhold distribution of monetary contributions to any country “engaged in a pattern of noncooperation regarding unresolved cases of international child abduction or denial of rights of access.”

I am highly in favor of proposed bill HR 1940, and desire to ensure that the financial contributions provided for in S. 618 not be compromised by the lack of action taken by the Tunisian government to return U.S. citizens who are illegally abducted to your country.

I am writing on behalf of Édeanna M. Chebbi, the left-behind parent of two U.S. citizens, Eslam (5) and Zainab (3) Chebbi, who were abducted to the Republic of Tunisia in November 2011. I understand that you recently led a congressional delegation to Tunisia where you met with top governmental officials to discuss the country’s progress toward democratization.

Édeanna has been fighting a legal and diplomatic battle for the return of Eslam and Zainab for six months. We are thankful for support given by Senator Barbara Mikulski and Ambassador Susan Jacobs during visits to Tunisia in 2012. While the efforts of these esteemed representatives have been both heartwarming and impactful, more advocacy is needed to ensure the return of these children, and the children of more than 4 other parents who have also been abducted to Tunisia since November 2011.

I am sure you are aware of the substantial monetary contribution that the U.S. is prepared to make to Tunisia in the coming months via proposed senate bill, S. 618: Egyptian-American Enterprise Fund Act. Additionally, you may be aware that Secretary Hillary Clinton is reported to be seeking $1 million in U.S. aid through the IMF on behalf of the Republic of Tunisia. Finally, it is my hope that you are familiar with the proposed legislation, HR 1940.

HR 1940 is an important piece of legislation to left-behind parents, and amongst its many provisions is the right of the President to withhold distribution of monetary contributions to any country “engaged in a pattern of noncooperation regarding unresolved cases of international child abduction or denial of rights of access.”

Congresswoman Pelosi, I am seeking your advocacy to the Tunisian Ambassador, Mohammad Tekaya; the Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister Rafik Abdessalem; Prime Minister Jebali; and President Marzouki, for the immediate return of Eslam and Zainab Chebbi. I ask that you emphasize a desire to ensure that the financial contributions provided for in S. 618 not be compromised by the lack of action taken by the Tunisian government to return U.S. citizens who are illegally abducted to their country. Additionally, I hope that you will support HR 1940 when it comes before you in Congress.